{{indexmenu_n>4}}

====== Auto Follow ======

{{:opencpn:manual:auto-follow_0.png?32x32}}

Clicking the **Auto Follow** button {{:opencpn:manual:auto-follow_0.png?32x32}}will center the chart directly on your vessel's current location. This is a toggle button that looks like this {{:opencpn:manual:autofollowactive.png?32x32}}when on, unless the cursor is over the icon. If the the GPS is working the "Own Ship" icon is red {{:opencpn:manual:ship_red.png?19x45}}otherwise the icon is gray. {{:opencpn:manual:ship_grey.png?19x45}}. It's also possible that a yellow own ship icon will appear. Read more: [[opencpn:opencpn_user_manual:getting_around:gps_setup_and_status|GPS Setup and Status]]. If zoomed out to a scale that is smaller than 1:300.000 the icon changes to {{:opencpn:manual:own5.png?31x30}}, when receiving gps signals and {{:opencpn:manual:own4.png?30x31}} otherwise. More about the //Own Ship icon// is available in [[:opencpn:opencpn_user_manual:getting_started:marks_and_routes|Marks and Routes]]

  - The default **Own Ship icon**  can be replaced by putting a file **ownship.png**  in the User Icons shared data directory. There is more about this shared directory here: [[:opencpn:opencpn_user_manual:getting_started:marks_and_routes|Marks and Routes]]
  - The **Auto Follow**  button is useful for two different situations:
      - When you have panned the map away from your current location and want to quickly move back to your vessel.
      - When underway, this will keep the display on the chart around your vessel, with the boat at the center of the chart, unless **Look Ahead Mode**  is on.
  - //Panning//  the chart will //disable//**Auto Follow**  mode. Simply click again to turn **Auto Follow**  mode back on. //Zooming in/out//  with the scrollwheel is OK as no panning takes place unless //Options→Display→"Zoom-to Cursor"//  is ticked. {{:opencpn:manual:course-up.png?800x605}}
  - If the option "**Show skewed raster charts as North-up**" in the //Options→Display→Advanced tab//, is **not**  ticked, the //right-click//  toggle option "**Course Up Mode/North Up Mode**" will be replaced by "**Course Up Mode /Chart Up Mode**", for skewed charts.
  - If an **electronic compass**  is available in the NMEA stream the **own ship icon**  will be oriented to this heading. The difference can be seen on the chart if there is a cross current, for example. The boat below is heading WNW but is being set SW. An AIS CPA, Closest Point of Approach is also visible.

{{opencpn:plugins:dashboard:dashn3.png?200x187}}

